Talk of the Town: September 22, 2021
SVE plans Sept. 28 ‘Ride and Drive’ event
Sioux Valley Energy will be commemorating National Drive Electric week with its first-ever electric vehicle (EV) ‘Ride and Drive’ event from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the Cooperative’s Brandon Service Center, 108 N. Heritage Road.
Attendees, who have a valid driver’s license can test drive EVie, SVE’s Nissan Leaf; Joule, H-D Electric Cooperative’s Tesla; Tesla 3, Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative’s Tesla; LiveWire, J&L Harley-Davidson’s Electric Motorcycle Simulato or Aventon E-Bike, Erik’s Bike, Board and Ski’s Electric Bicycle
The EV Ride and Drive event will also have activities for the entire family including a bouncy house and food for purchase from area food trucks, including Kota Café and Breaking Burrito. In addition, giveaways and snacks will be available. SVE members can also register to win an e-bike.
September needs at the Brandon Food Pantry
September needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are bottled juice, canned fruit, saltine crackers, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, fruit snacks, beef stew, pancake mix, syrup, Manwich, Kleenex, body wash, dog and cat food.
At this time, the BAFP has no need for canned vegetables (i.e., peas, corn, carrots, all varieties of beans) and soups, both cream and other varieties.
In respect to COVID-19, Pantry clients must be vaccinated and wear a mask to shop the Pantry. If not vaccinated, clients will receive items that have been pre-bagged by BAFP volunteers.
To make appointments for either pickups or donations, call 582-7001. The BAFP is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Early Childhood
Developmental
Screening is Oct. 7
Brandon Valley School District will conduct Early Childhood Developmental Screenings from 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7 at Brandon Elementary. Screenings are free for all children from birth to age 5 who live in the BVSD.
To register, visit brandonvalley.k12.sd.us/spec_serv or call the Special Services office at (605) 582-3446 to schedule an appointment.
Wilde Prairie Winery plans 2021 Harvest Festival
Wilde Prairie Winery invites the public to its 2021 Harvest Festival from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.
Plenty of family fun is planned for all ages.
To learn more, visit wildeprairiewinery.com.
Fall craft fair in VS is Oct. 9
A Fall Craft Fair is planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Valley Springs Legion Hall, 615 Broadway Ave.
Brandon Transit available to all
Brandon Transit is a public transportation service that is available to all. Services are provided from approximately 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Brandon Transit provides rides to medical and dental appointments, therapy, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, nutrition sites, governmental offices, day care, preschool, employment, shopping areas, and grocery stores. The fee is $2 per ride or $4 round trip.
To schedule a ride, contact Brandon Transit at least one day in advance at 582-3553 between 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Brandon VFW stages ‘Voice of Democracy,’ ‘Patriots Pen’ contests
The Brandon VFW is organizing their annual Voice of Democracy contest for high school students. Essays must be submitted to the VFW by
Sunday, Oct 31. The 2021-22 theme is America: Where do we go from here?
The Patriots Pen contest is for students in grades 6-8. Essays must also be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 31 to the VFW. This year’s theme is How can I be a good American”
Entry forms will be available at the Brandon Valley Middle and High schools in mid-September or by contacting Tom Sharpee at tom@LTA2SUM.com
City schedules Oct. 2 tree branch disposal
The city of Brandon has scheduled a tree branch disposal from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at 409 N. Sioux Blvd. Entrance is north of the Brandon Fire Station. Fees will be charged per visit, per load and may be paid in cash or check only. A pickup truck (or smaller) or trailer will be charged $10. A pickup truck with trailer will be $15.
The service is only open to in-town Brandon residents, who must present a South Dakota driver’s license and/or current city utility bill for proof of residency.
Branches up to 12 inches in diameter and 10 feet long will be allowed. Leaves, grass, lumber, yard and pet waste will not be accepted. Commercial contractors will not be allowed to dispose unless contracted by the city of Brandon, and individuals illegally dumping outside of the operation day/hours or non-approved items will be prosecuted.
VS Legion Pancake Breakfast
Valley Springs American Legion will serve up a pancake breakfast that Post home from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Sunday, Oct. 17.
We Salute ALL Veterans Ball being planned
Brandon VFW Post 4726 is organizing the First Annual Military Ball, planned for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Post Home. All veterans and a guest are invited for a night of food, dancing and fun. Tickets are $40 per person, which includes a catered meal, deejay and silent auction. The event is formal and a limited number of tickets will be sold.
Splitrock Lutheran seeks donations of kids’ books
Splitrock Lutheran Church is collecting lightly-used or new children’s books for ages toddler through sixth grade for the foundation, Live Like Cat. The foundation donates books to various learning institutions. The program was established after 19-year-old Caitlyn Carmen, a special education major at the University of South Dakota, died as the result of a car accident. Her family started the foundation to carry on her legacy.
Books should be brought to the church.
VFW gun safe raffle
The Brandon VFW is raffling off a 64-gun Cannon safe. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Post. The drawing will be held during the VFW’s annual Feather Party on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Feather Party in Valley Springs
Charles R. Doman American Legion Post 131 and the Legion Auxiliary invite the public to their annual Feather Party on Saturday, Nov. 20. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Auxiliary serving food. Bingo for turkeys will be played from 6:30-10 p.m. The event will also offer a game of chance room with a cash bar. Meat bundles will be available for raffle and tickets for the Henry Golden Boy 22 rifle will be sold up to the 9:30 p.m. drawing.
Communicate with the city
City of Brandon utilizes a text messaging service to keep the public in the know. To sign up for this service, text “Brandon” to 33222 for notification of snow alerts, water conservation alerts, water main breaks, street closures, etc.
Text “Brandonpool” to 33222 for pool opening and closing dates, closures due to weather, etc.
When registering, auto correct tends to add a space. Subscribers to this service will receive a return message saying, “Welcome to…”
To register, type 33222 in the text message as the number and then type the “Keyword” above in the message line of the text, just the word not the quotations. Residents will need to subscribe to each one for notifications of all three, and may opt out at any time.
Farmer’s Market open weekly in Brandon
The Farmer’s Market in Brandon is open for the season in Brandon from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at 515 N. Splitrock Blvd. The event features local vendors, food trucks and live music every Saturday through October.
TOPS open to all
The Brandon chapter of TOPS, “Take Off Pounds Sensibly,” meets at 9 a.m. Mondays at Brandon Lutheran Church, 600 E. Holly Blvd. Participants should park in the east parking lot and use the main entrance, far right door. Once inside, turn right and follow the positive and uplifting conversation.
TOPS is for both men and women, and the group’s purpose is to encourage, motivate and support one another.
Brandon Senior Citizens
The Brandon Senior Citizens meet at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday at the VFW for Bingo, cards socializing and coffee. All seniors are welcome.
Al-Anon meetings in Brandon
Al-Anon meets from 8-9 p.m. every Tuesday at Brandon Lutheran Church, 600 E. Holly Blvd.
